Lead
Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Peter Magyar, said his government will review all contracts related to the Paks II nuclear power plant project, which is being built by Russia’s Rosatom, according to reports from the Russian state news agency TASS. Speaking at a press conference after a meeting of his Tisza party’s parliamentary faction, Magyar said the project’s cost had risen from an initial €12 billion to €24 billion, and that he wanted to understand the financing terms and whether the loan could be restructured or refinanced on more favorable conditions.
Coverage Comparison
The story is carried by two TASS English-language reports, which are the only sources analyzed. Both articles focus on Magyar’s statements and the broader context of the Paks II project. The first report, dated April 20, emphasizes the review of contracts and the cost increase, quoting Magyar’s remarks about the need to review “all secret government regulations, all contracts, all financing decisions.” The second report, dated April 13, highlights Magyar’s intention to discuss the project with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and includes his comment that the expansion is taking place at an “extremely overstated price.”
Both reports are from TASS, which is a Russian state news agency. No independent verification from other outlets is included in the analyzed material, so the claims should be treated as reported by a single source, albeit one with direct access to Hungarian political statements.
Key Claims
Contracts to be reviewed
Magyar said the new government will review all contracts related to Paks II, as reported by both TASS articles. He stated that the Tisza party’s election platform included a “serious revision” of the project, and he reaffirmed this after the party’s victory in the April 12 elections. According to TASS, Magyar said: “We will review all secret government regulations, all contracts, all financing decisions.”
Cost increase
Magyar noted that the project’s cost had increased from €12 billion to €24 billion, according to the April 20 TASS report. He said he wanted to understand how this increase occurred and whether the loan could be restructured or refinanced on better terms. This figure has not been independently confirmed by other sources in the analyzed material.
Slow construction progress
Magyar expressed that construction of the new plant had progressed “extremely slowly” over the past years, as reported by TASS. This assessment aligns with the outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s admission, also reported by TASS, that he regrets his government’s failure to ensure rapid implementation of the project.
Rosatom’s response
Alexey Likhachev, head of Rosatom, responded to the planned review by saying his agency is prepared to discuss issues related to Paks II and, if necessary, to “pass an examination proving the project’s effectiveness, justifying its price, and other parameters,” according to the April 20 TASS report.
Possible talks with Putin
Magyar said he wants to discuss the terms and price of the energy agreements with Russia, including Paks II, with President Vladimir Putin, as reported in the April 13 TASS article. He indicated a desire to maintain pragmatic relations with Russia, stating: “This is what we want because we are in a vulnerable position from the standpoint of energy supplies from Russia.” He added that he might ask Putin to “improve the financial terms.”
Conclusion
As Hungary’s new government prepares to take office, the future of the Paks II project hinges on a delicate balance between cost concerns, energy security, and relations with Russia. While the incoming prime minister has promised a thorough review, the outcome remains uncertain pending direct talks with Moscow. The reports from TASS provide a glimpse into the evolving stance, but independent verification of the figures and claims is still pending.